The Power of Practicing Together: Why Group Yoga Still Matters
“The Power of Practicing Together: Why Group Yoga Still Matters”
January always feels like a doorway—an invitation to step back into what nourishes us most. And while we live in a world where we can stream almost anything (including thousands of yoga classes), there’s something irreplaceable about rolling out your mat in a room with others or in a Zoom class live with your favorite teacher and fellow students. Yoga was never meant to be practiced in isolation. Patanjali reminds us in the Yoga Sutras that the path is one of connection—union—with ourselves, with the world, and with each other.
When we practice in community, our nervous systems actually sync. Research on social co-regulation shows that heart rates and breathing patterns tend to harmonize in groups; this resonance helps lower cortisol, increase feelings of safety, and deepen the mind–body connection. That’s something no video—even your favorite YouTube teacher—can fully recreate.
The Magic of Sangha…
There’s also the subtle magic of sangha, the Sanskrit word for a supportive spiritual community. Being physically present with others offers accountability, encouragement, and a shared energy field that uplifts the entire room. In yoga philosophy, prana flows more freely when we feel supported, and collective prana is palpable—you can feel the room exhale, shift, soften, rise.
The Magic of Attunement…
A live teacher brings something priceless, too: attunement. A live instructor notices your posture, your breath, and your energy that day. They can offer personalized cues, modifications, or simply a knowing smile that reminds you you’re not practicing alone. When you find a teacher and a group that resonate with you, the practice becomes a mirror—reflecting your growth, your challenges, and the beautiful truth that we grow best in relationship. A live teacher brings the value that a pre-recorded video can’t, and that is what makes the live, group experience priceless.
The Solitary Online Approach…
Of course, doing a yoga class online by yourself with a video has its place. Don’t get me wrong. It’s convenient, accessible, and a wonderful supplement to a weekly group class. But it’s not a substitute for human presence, shared breath, or the subtle yet powerful sense of belonging that arises when people gather with a shared intention.
As we step into the new year, maybe the real practice isn’t just movement—it’s choosing to be together. Your mat is part of a larger tapestry. Come weave yourself in.
One Last Thing Before I Go…
Yoga teaches that we are already interconnected; group practice lets us feel it.
Namaste,
